Afghanistan set shortest records on Test debut

Virender Sehwag Ecstatic as another Rahul comes to bat at number three for India

Kristopher Love
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16 June, 2018, 20:42

Afghanistan were bowled out twice on Friday as India became the first Asian side to win a Test in less than two days. Mujeeb Ur Rahman hit Afghanistan's first six in his cameo 9-ball 15 which helped them post 100-plus total.

To get used to the conditions in England for the five-match Test series, the management this time made a decision to play the limited-overs leg comprising 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is before the Test matches. Having finished the Test inside two days, Rahane was complimentary of the potential of Afghanistan's bowling attack - "they can do damage to any team" - but he said the batsmen needed work even if it came through simulating Test situations in the nets. It's about playing five-day cricket regularly.

"Their learning curve is huge". It was important for all of us to stick to our basics, create some good habits, but credit to Afghanistan, they were fantastic.

"I believe we will get there", the former West Indian allrounder added.

Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay hit centuries for India, while Hashmatullah Shahidi top scored for Afghanistan with 36 in the second innings.

Hardik Pandya, on 10, and Ravichandran Ashwin, on 7, were at the crease when play ended after an extended final session but only 78 overs were possible due to two rain interruptions.

Every batsman seemed to be on a limited overs mode without any respect for an aspect called patience which is an integral component of Test cricket.

"I think with us there has to be a lot more A team cricket played against big countries by some players - players just below 18 - in England, India, Bangladesh, Australia", Simmons said. It was just a beginning, for them. They tried their best.

"Afghanistan have some good bowlers and in time they will be able to trouble the opposition more", Rahane said. If 2-3 guys can bat for longer period of time, they can be a decent Test side, Rahane sounded hopeful. However, he has seen this team learn a lot, and expected them to get to it.

Afghan paceman Yamin Ahmadzai stood out with three wickets while fellow quick Wafadar and teenage spinner Rashid Khan took two each. But they made their (losing) test debuts at home, and didn't face world No 1 India, which has lost only one test at home in almost six years.

The 24 wickets that fell on the second day in Bengaluru (20 Afghanistan, 4 India) are the most to have fallen in a day of Test cricket in the last 115 years.